When an insurance company sends you to an independent medical exam (IME) you must attend.
Under Illinois Law if you do not attend you will lose benefits and not be eligible for any settlement.
The IME doctor is hired by the insurance company.
The IME physician is not your doctor.
The IME doctor will not provide you any medical treatment.
The IME doctor may testify against you in your Work Comp case.
However, sometimes the IME doctor will rule in your favor.
This means that the insurance company will have to approve your treatment and pay your benefits.
Some tips to help you:
Be polite and nice to the IME doctor.
It may cause the doctor to provide a favorable opinion to you.
Make sure to take any medical records you may have or films of MRIs with you to the exam.
It does not hurt to be prepared.
Questions regarding your IME exam? Be sure to contact Illinois Work Injury Attorney Dirk May for a free meeting at 309-827-4371.